Saving Abigail — Liz Hirsh Naftali on Courage, Advocacy, and Bringing Hostages Home

Today’s Tel Aviv Diary opens with a concise briefing from Tel Aviv on the fast-moving headlines: the latest in the IDF legal-officer saga, Israel’s strikes and messaging to Lebanon amid Hezbollah tensions, and where the UN Security Council effort for an international Gaza force currently stands. Then, we shift to a deeply moving interview with Liz Hirsh Naftali, author of Saving Abigail, whose family was devastated on October 7. Liz explains how a three-year-old child became the face of a global campaign, why bipartisan outreach in Washington mattered, and how personal storytelling helped decision-makers act.Across the conversation, Liz traces the arc from shock to sustained action: early meetings on Capitol Hill, coordination with hostage families of many backgrounds, and the relentless push that brought children like Abigail home—while emphasizing the work still ahead for those who remain. She speaks candidly about resilience, grief, and the responsibility to document October 7 so the facts aren’t erased or softened by time. We also discuss how communities—Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Black, Latino—can stand together around basic human truths, even when politics divides. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit marcschulman.substack.com/subscribe